YEA Lesson Library
Be a Sunbeam!
About This Lesson
Using the Transfiguration, this lesson teaches the students to listen to Jesus by reading their Bible. It encourages them to shine for Jesus.
Scriptures
Psalm 27:1
Isaiah 60:19b
Daniel 12:1-3
Matthew 5:14-16
Luke 9:28-36
Luke 9:35
John 1:4
John 8:12
Ephesians 5:14
Words to Know
BOOTH - a small room or house that doesn’t last long.
The Lesson
Three of Jesus’ helpers went with Him into the hills to pray. Peter, James and John must have been tired. They lay down and fell asleep.
As Jesus prayed, His face began to shine like the sun. He looked very different. He had changed. He was talking with God, and God made Him look different.
When the helpers woke up they saw that Jesus was very bright and shiny. Even His clothes looked bright. They almost looked like they were on fire! There were two men standing and talking to Jesus. Moses and Elijah were also very bright and shiny.
Peter said, “Jesus, this is wonderful!” He wanted to build three booths – like those used during the Feast of Tabernacles.
While Peter was talking, a bright cloud came and covered all of them. Then a loud voice spoke out of the cloud. “This is my Son, and I have chosen him. Listen to him,” it said.
Wow! This must be very important! God wanted Jesus’ helpers to listen to Him. Everything Jesus says is always important. God wants you and me to listen to Him, too. When we read our Bible, we are listening to what Jesus has to say.
Jesus was so special that God made Him shine like the sun. You are very special to God, too. When you listen to and obey Jesus, you will be different. Others will see you are different. You will be like a sunbeam shining for Jesus.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Luke 9:29
Monday - Psalm 27:1
Tuesday - Isaiah 60:19b
Wednesday - Luke 9:35
Thursday - John 1:4
Friday - John 8:12
Saturday - Ephesians 5:14
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Explain how Jesus looked different up on the hillside.
2. State that Moses and Elijah were there too.
3. Tell that when we obey Jesus, others see we are different.
4. Say that Jesus wants us to shine for Him.
Topics & Themes
Bible Study
Disciples
God’s Voice
Holy Conduct
Jesus, Listen to
Letting Your Light Shine
Prayer
Transfiguration
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, CD or cassette tape, music player, white sheet, flashlight, white construction paper, scissors, glue, cotton balls, yarn, hole punch
Preparation
In His book, Reach Every One You Teach, Harry Chugani points out that preschoolers strongly identify with a group. They love to pretend or make believe. They love to play the part of another person. This adds more credence to the fact that the learning process is not complete until the lesson is acted out in one form or another. As teachers, we should try to keep this in mind and ensure that the activity is carried out in each lesson so the learning process will be complete.
Before you come to class, enlarge and copy the cloud pattern on white construction paper. You will need one for each child in the class. Write the memory verse on one side of the cloud, and punch a hole at the top. Cut enough 12 inch pieces of yarn for each child to have one.
Review Questions
Use your flashlight and tell the children that whoever the light shines on gets to answer the question.
1. How did Jesus look on the hillside?
2. Who was with Jesus on the hillside?
3. What came and covered Jesus, Moses and Elijah?
4. What did the voice in the cloud tell us to do?
5. How can you shine like a sunbeam for Jesus?
REACH Activity
Letter: S
Words: sun, sunbeam, Son, say, see
Sentence:
JESUS IS THE SPECIAL SON OF GOD. HIS FACE WAS BRIGHT AS THE SUN. BE A SPECIAL SUNBEAM FOR JESUS.
Song
“Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam” is on page 21 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, Thank you for making Jesus shine so brightly. I want to be like Jesus and shine for Him. Help me to always do what Jesus tells me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Printable Pages
